Track brake



G. HANNAUER ET AL TRACK BRAKE Filed. Dec; 24

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 G. HANNAUER ET AL Jan. 4, 1927. 1,612,865

TRACK BRAKE Filed Dec 24 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ailmen Jan. 4,,1927.

G. HANNAUER ET AL TRACK BRAKE s Sheets-Sheet :5

Filed Dec, 24, 1923 flange and rim brake on wheels that may be, between them.

Fatented Jan. 4, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE HANNAUER, OF WEST HSAMMOND, ILLINOIS, AND EDGAR M. WILCOX, OF HAMMOND, INDIANA. ASSIGNORS TO HANNAUER GAR RETARDER COMPANY, OF 1 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COIBPOR-ATION OF ILLINOIS.

TRACK BRAKE.

Application filed December '24, 1923. Serial No. 682,581.

This invention relates to'appanatus for controlling railway rolling stock while movgravity or momentum, as, for exing by during switching and sorting operaand to coact against opposite sides of wheels on the rails.

The invention provides an automatic apparatus in which all brake members are caused to act simultaneously and with substantially equal pressure Parts of the apparatus are arrangedtso that oppositely-exerted efforts and stresses I imposed on brake members compensateone another in every set of brake members and throughout a plurality of sets of such members inthe apparatus and on amember extending longitudinally of the apparatus to whichare connected levers oppositely acting on brake members'through interposed instrumentalities.

' Further, the invention provides in the apparatus transversely-movable longitudinal members so arranged and actuated that they act with substantially uniform pressure on all of a plurality of brake members. I

The invention generally provides improved .details ofjconstructmn and arrangement of parts, whereby there afiorded an apparatus of this character that is reliable, efficient, and economical of operation, and one that is'capable of long service with comparatively small outlay for readjustment,

repairs, and overhaul.

lVhen considered'in' connection with the description herein, the characteristics of the invention are apparent from the accompanying drawings,

- made without departing from the nature of the invention. Like reference-characters refer'to correextending longitudinally and substantially parallel to the rails,

forming part hereof, wherein respect to the an embodiment of the invention is disclosed,

sponding partsin the views of the drawings, of whic'h-.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the apparatus showing a plurality of sections arranged closely adjacent end to end;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a section thereof;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3, Fig. 1;

' gig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4, Fig. 2; an Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55, Fig. 2. In the drawings, A designates rails arranged in a manner common to railway track installations.

- At one side of the track-there isa longitudinally-movable leveroperating member 6, which extends substantially parallel to the rails and substantially the length of the apparatus. Y

The member 6 is connected pivotally in any suitable manner at 7 to outer end portions of outwardly-extending operatingarms 8 and 9 of bell-crank levers 8 and 9.

-The levers have compression-arms 8" and 9", which are disposed substantially parallel to the rails. The two arms of every lever are connected by struts 8" or 9", as the case may be. their angles on pivot members 10 mounted inbrack'ets 11 and in a fulcrum member 12 of the apparatus the brackets being mounted on member 12 and overlapping the levers. tend from the fulcrums in a direction opposite -to the arms 9' The levers are connected pivotally'in the endrportions of'theirjarms 8" and 9 to members13-and 14, respectivelkjvhich eX- 'tend and. are movable transversely'o'f the The levers are fulcrumed at The arms, 8" extrack. The members 13have mounted thereon uprights 15 facing in one direction with rails, and'they bear against and are secured to elongated beams 16 eX- tending substantially the length if the apparatus and substantially parallel to the rails at one side thereof; and the members l l have mounted thereon uprights 17 facing in the opposite direction and bearing against and secured to elongated beams 18 disposed 'in a manner similar to beams 16 on the opposite sides of the rails.-

.(Each of a pair of beams 16 and 18 disposed on opposite sides of each rail bears against sprmgs 19, which in turn bear against 'orake members 20 and 21 carrying removable shoes 22 arranged to contact with the sides of wheels on the rails. The brake men'ibers are mounted slidably on the transverse members 13 and 14-, and they are coir nccted with the l cams by bolts 23, whi are arranged to sllde through the beams hcn the springs are compressed. The brake members of every pair are deflected outwardly in their end portions to facilitate entrance of wheels between them.

The number o't n'ien'ibcrs 13 and opcrat inglevers 8 therefor is the same in eachsection, and throughout the apparatus, as the 'number of members 14 and operating-levers 9 therefor. Thus one-half of the movable transverse members are arranged to exert pressure, through the instrumentality of up rights 15, beams 18, and springs 1.), against brakeniembers 20 toward one side of the two rails, and the other half, through the instrumentality of uprights 17, beams 18, and springs 19, against brake members 21 toward the opposite side of the two rails.

Consequently, when the levers 8 and are swung simultaneously and uniformly, and in view of the fact that the arms 8 and 9 extend in opposite directions tromtho lever- ;tulcrums', the brake members and 21 of every pair are pressed toward each other, the twocontact with opposite sides ot wheels b tween them, and they exert braking or retarding action thereon, or their pressure on the Wheels is reduced or released. dependent upon the direction in vers are swung.

Taking as an example a set of two levers 8 and two levers 9 associated with one set of brake members, as shown by Fig. 2, and assuming that the operating niemberfi is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow, all of the levers from end to end of the apparatus are swung. the levers 8 will force the transverse members'lF-l away from that side of the track and the levers 9 will draw the members 14- toward that side, and the brake members of every pair will be forced toward each other and exert braking or retarding action on the wheels to an extent dependent upon the amount ofmoveni'ent of member 6; and, when member 6, is moved in the opposite direction, the braking or retardinp action is reduced or released, dcpcndent then also upon the amount of movement. of the operating member.

N As the number of levers exerting ellort in one direction is thesame as those exerting efl'ort in the opposite direction, the stresses imposed on member 12 by action of lovers in one direction are counteracted by substantially equal stresses imposed by ac tion of levers in the opposite direction. Ac cordingly, the member 12 may be of a floatingtype and connected. through the levers 8 and 9, only to the members 13 and 14:; and,

which the le ly, the oppositely-exerted etlorts resulting from their oppositely-extending arms 8 and 9 are distributed uniformly throughout the fulcrum member 12. As the transverse members. 13 and 14 are arranged zorrespondingly with respect to the levers, the elt'orts and stresses imposed by them on the beams 16 and 18 also are distributed unitormly. As the beams are moved simultaneously and with substantial uniformity throughout their entire length by action ot. the uprights 15 and 17, there is substantially simultaneous. uniform, and compensatory action'on the brake members throughout the apparatus. Transverse, ctl'orts imposed on brake members by'any swaying 'or. wobbling of rolling stock on the rails is cushioned by the springs 1.): and, by reason of the floating condition of the member: 12, the entire apparatus automatically adjusts itself to the particular positions the wheels may assume on the rails. l

The member (5 may be operated in any suitable manner to swing the levers 8 and 0. An 'eilective and satisfactory means ot operatinp; and controlling the apparatus ex emplitied by the drawings. The operatingarms 24. one near each end ot the apparatus. are tulcrumed at ore end at on the member 12. and between their ends they are connnccted pivotally at 26 to the member 6. so

that, when the operating-arms are swung. the member 6 is moved longitudinally and the lovers swung. Each arm 24 is connected at its-outer end portion with and swung by a piston-rod 27 of a fluid-pressure device 28 operated by compressed air or other suitable fluid supplied through pipes 20 from a storagereservoir 80, fluid flow and pressure be ing; controlled by valves 31, and one set o't pipes and onevalve beingrprovided for each device. 'lhe controlwalvcs may be located I at any place in which it is desirable to have the operator ot' the apparatus stationed. as, for example, in a switch-contl'ol ltlWll'; llhus the entire apparatus can be operated and controlled by a single. operator. who by regulating the fluid pressure in the dev ces 28 may govern the position ot'lhe brake members with respect to the rails and their action on wheels on the rails, whereby rolling stock of which the wheels are a part may be retarded, stopped, and released at will.

V rails,

, members.

by the springs 19 and there is occurrence of automatic compensatory adjustment in the apparatus as a. whole, but also the back stresses imposed on the leversi 8 and 9 are cushioned by the compressible fluid in those devices.

Having thus described our invention, what weclaim as new,-and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1; The combination, rails, of brake members on em: side of. each rail arranged to contact with wheels thereon, a tr ansverse member arran ed to impart braking'movement in one irection to brake members on one side of each of said rails, a transverse member arranged to impart braking movement in the opposite direction to brake members on'the other side of each of said rails, and means whereby said transverse members are moved simultaneously in opposite directionsfor operating said brake members. I

2. The combination, with apair of trackof brake members on each side of each rail arranged to contact with wheels thereon,

longitudinal transversely-movable beams on each side of each rail connected to said brake members, a set of transverse members operatively connected with the beams on one s de of said rails for operating said beams, a set v of transverse members opcratively connected to the beams on the other side of said rails for operating said beams, and meanswhereby said sets of transverse members are moved simultaneously in opposite directions-for operating'said brake -members.

3. The combination, with a pair of trackrails, of a brake member oneach'side of each rail arrangedfto contact with wheels thereon, longitudinal transversely-movable beams on eachsideof each rail connected with said brake members, springs interposed between said brake members and beams for yieldably transmitting a braking pressure, a' transverse member operativelyconnected with a beam on one side of each of said rails, a transverse member connected witha beam on the other side of each of said rails, and means whereby said transverse members are moved simultaneously in opposite directions for operating the braking 4. The combination, with a pair of trackrails, of brake members on each side oi: each rail arranged to contact with wheels thereon,

longitudinal trans "ely-movable beams on each side of each 1' l, bolts connecting-said brake members and beams, springs interposed between said brake members and beams for yieldably transmitting a brakinga transverse member operativelv pressure,

with a beam on one slde of each connected with a air of track versely of the -to a brake member on one side of each 0 of said rails, a transversenrember opeiatively connected with a beam on the other ,side'ot' each of said rails, and means whereby said transverse members are moved simulon the other side of each of said rails, and

means whereby said transverse members are moved simultaneously in opposite directions for operating the brake members.

6. The combination, with aspair of trackrails, of a brake member on each side of each rail arranged to contact with wheels thereon, longitudinal transversely-movable beams on each side of each rail operatively connected to said brake members, two transverse members movable transversely of thetrack, uprightson one of said transverse members operatively connected with beams on one side of each of said rails, uprights on the other one of said transverse members operatively connected with the beams on the other side of each of said rails, and means whereby said transverse members are moved simultaneously in opposite directions for operating said brake members.

7. The combination, with a pair of trackrails. of a brake member on each side of each of said rails arranged to contact with wheels thereon, a transverse member movable transtrack operatively connected said rails, a transverse member movable" transversely of the track operatively conmi nectedto a brake-member on the other side of each of said rails, a lever connected to one of said transverse members, another lever connected to the other of said' trans- -verse members, said levers being arranged lia when swung in one direction to move said transverse members in opposite directions, and anoperating member connected to said levers for operating said brake members.

8. In a track-brake zipparatusbrake mem- 12o bers one on each side of'each rail, two transverse members movable transversely of the apparatus, and each being operatively connected to two of said brake members on I corresponding sides of said track rails, a lever connected to one of said transverse members, another lever connected to the 'other of said transverse members, said levers being arranged when swung 1n one d1recv tion to' move said transverse members in og posile directions, and an. operatiug member operati ly connected to said levers for operating said br 0 members.

9. In a apparatus, brake members, two .obe'rs movable tra s vcrsely oithe apparatus and bein op cratively connected to some said members, two fulcrijuned levers comprising oiitwardly-extending operating-arms compression-arms, the compression-arm of one of said levers extending in one direction from its fulcrum and being connected to one of transverse members, and the com ,pression-arm of the other of said levers extending in the opposite direction and being connected to the other 01 said transverse members, and an operating member connected with the operating-arms of said levers for operating said brake members.

10-111 a track-brake apparatus, brake members, two transverse members movable transversely of the apparatus and each set being operatively connected to some o1 said brake members, a fulcrum member disposed longitudinally of the apparatus, two levers 'lulerumed on said fulcrum member. and

comprising operating-arms extending outwardly therefrom and compression-arms, the compression-arm of one otsaid levers extending in one direction from its fulcrum and being connected to one of said transverse members and the compression-arm of being connected operatively to some of said brakemembers, a fulcrum member disposed longitudinally of the apparatus, two levers "fulcrumed on said fulcrum member and comprising operating-arms extending outwardlytheret'rom and compression-arms, the compression-arm of one of said levers extending in one direction from its' fulcrunr and being connected to one of said trans verse members and the compression-arm of the other of said levers'egrtending 1n the opposite direction and being-connected to the other or sardtransverse members, an-

operating member connected to the operating-arms of said levers, an arm swiingably connected to said fulcrum member and 0 cratively connected to saidloperating members, and means whereby said arm is swung for operating said brake members.

19. A track-brake apparatus comprising a plurality of sections each of which includes a brake member on opposite sides of each rail and two sets of transverse members movable transversely of the apparatus and each set being operatively connected to a plurality of said brake members, and means whereby said sets of transverse members on the same sioe of each rail are moved simultaneouslyin opposite directions in all sections operating said brake members.

combination with a pair, of track- 13. rails, a brake apparatus comprising a plurality of sections each of which includes brake members on each side of each rail arranged to contact with wheels thereon and twosets of transverse members movable tran'sversely of the apparatus, longitudinal beams extending substantially the length of the apparatus operatively connected to one set of transverse members of each section and to brake members on one side of each of said rails, longitudinal beams extending substantially the length of the apparatus operatively connected to the other sets of transverse member-sand to brake members on the other side ofeach of said rails, and means whereby said sets of trans verse members are moved simultaneously in opposite directions in all sections toroperating said brake members.

14:. in combination with a pair o'f-trackrails, a brake apparatus comprising a plurality of sections each of which includes spring pressed brake'me'mbers on each'side of each rail, two sets of transverse members movable transversely of the apparatus, lon- .gitudinal beams extending substantially the length o'f'the apparatus operatively connected to one set of said transverse members of each section and.- bearing against the springsoi brake members on one side of each of said rails, longitudinal beams extending substantiallythe length of the ap paratus operatively connected to the other sets ot transverse members and bearing against the springs otbrake members on the other side of each of said rails,'and means Wherebythe sets of transverse members are moved simultaneously in opposite directions in all sections for operating said brake mem-' bers.

"15. A track-brake apparatus comprising a plurality of sections each of which includes brake members and two transverse members movable transversely of a track and each being operatively connected to a brake member on the same side of each rail, a lever, connected to one ot'said transverse members of each section, another lever connected to the other of saidtransverse members of each section, said levers being arranged when verse members of "each section in opposite directions,v and an operating member connected to and arranged to swing all of said levers simultaneously for operating said bralre members.

16. A track-brake apparatus comprising a plurality of sections each or which includes brake members and two sets of transverse members movable transversely of a track and each set being operatively connected to'some of said brake members, a fulcrum member disposed longitudinally of the apparatus, two sets of, levers fulcrumed on said fulcrum member and comprising operating arms of the other set to the other corresponding sets members.

17. A-tra'ck brake apparatus comprising a plurality of sections each of which includes brake members and two sets of transverse membersmovable-transversely of a track and each set being operatively connecte'dto some of .said brake members, a fulcrum member disposed longitudinally of the apparatus",

Y two sets of'levers fulcrumed on said fulerum member and comprising operating-arms extending-outwardly therefrom and compres-r sion-arms, the compression-arms of one set ,of levers extending in one their fulcrums andbeing connected to corsets -oftransverse members of 'same pressure.

direction 'from responding. the several sections and-the compressionarms of the other set of levers extending in the oppositedire'ction-and being connected to the other corresponding sets of transverse members of the several sections, an operating member disposed longitudinally of the -.'apparatus connected to' the operating-arms of all of said levers, an arm swingably' connected to said fulcrum member and operatively connected to said operating member, and means whereby said arm is swung-for operating said brake members.

18. The combination, with a pair of track rails, of a transversely movable brake member on each side of each rail adapted to clasp a wheel for retarding movement of the latter, and transversely movable members extending from rail to rail and operatively connected to said brake membersfor actuatingthem. f

19. The combination, with a painof track rails, of a transversely movable bralxe member on each side of each rail adapted to clasp a wheel for retarding movement of the latter, and transversely movable members extending from rail to railand o eratively connected to said brake members or actuat ing them, said transversely movable members being mounted under the rails to anchor the brake device.

20. A track brake comprising, in combination, a track rail, a series of brake m'embers closely spacedend to end on each side of said rail and arranged to press against a car wheel thereon, and means including a plurality of springs acting on each of said brake members at separated points lengthwise thereof for pressing said members of the series separately against the Wheels of cars on the ,track, said series of brake mem bers and the plurality of springs acting on each member producing substantially equal opposed pressures on the car wheels as they move along the track rails between said brake members. 1

21.-In a track brake of the character described, brake members extending longitudinally of the track rails and disposed one onv ing said members in opposite directions, and

springs between each transverse member and the, two of said brake members on corresponding sides of the track rails, said springs being aligned with said transverse members.

22. The combination, rails, of a transversely movable brake memher on each clasp a wheel for retarding movement of the latter, and means including members transversely movable and extending from rail to "rail and 'operatively connected to said brake members for applying all of said brake members simultaneously at substantially the 23. The combination, with a pair. of track rails, of'a transversely movable brake member on each side of each rail adapted to clasp awheel for retarding movement of the latter, and transversely movable members extending from rail to rail and cyieldably connected to said brake members for yieldably actuating them to compensate for irregular mechanical conditions and actions.

24. A track brake device of the type described comprising. incombination with track rails, brake members one onea-ch sideof'each track rail and movable transversely of the track, members extending transversely of the track and mechanically-connected for movement in opposite directions; a spring acting horizontal! against each brake member substantially III-11118 with the top of the track rails, and means attached to each of saidtransverse members, and acting on the springs of the two brake members on corresponding sides of said track rails to press said brake members against the wheels of cars on said track rails. V

25. The combination, with a pair of track rails, of a transversely movable brake member on each side of each rail adapted to clasp a wheel for retarding movement of the latter, and transversely movable members arranged alternately for simultaneous move- 00 with a pair of track side of each rail adaptedto 26. The combination, with a track rail,

of a brake member on each side of said rail arranged. to contact with a wheel thereon, a longitudinal transversely-movable beam on each side of said rail, and springmeans interposed between said beams and brake members "for yieldably transmitting braking pressure to said brake members.

27. The combination, with a track rail, of

a brake member on each side of said railarranged to contact with a wheel thereon, a longitudinal transversely-movable beam on each side of saidrail, spring means interposed, between said beams and brake members for" yieldably transmitting braking pressure to said brake members, a transverse member operatively-c'onnected to a beam on one side of said rail, a transverse member operatively connected to a beam on the other side'ofsaid rail, and means whereby said transverse members are moved simultaneously innppositeflirections'for operating said brakeimcembersf i 28. Attack brake apparatus comprisingaplurality of sections, closely adjacent end to end, eachof which includes a "brakev member on each side of each track rail,- mo

ti'on transmission members operatively con- 'nected to said brake members, and power means operatively connected to said motion transmission members for moving all of said brake members simultaneously to Othe sameextent and thereby clasping thewheels with substantially the same pressure along the track. I i

29. In track brake apparatus comprising a plurality of sections closely adjacent end-to end, each of wliieh includes a spring pressed brake member on each side or each track rail,

- motion transmission means operatively connected to said brake members, and power means operat-ively" connected to said motion transmission means for moving all of said brake members simultaneously to the same extent and thereby clasping the wheels with substantially the same pressure alongthe track. I

e 30. In a track brake apparatus comprising a plurality of sections closely adjacent end to. end, each of which includes a brake memher on each side of a track rail, and power means operatively connected to-.said brake members for moving all of said brake meme simultaneously to the sameextent and thereby clasping the wheels at substantially the same pressure along the rail.

31. In sectional track brake apparatus, a section con'iprising a brake member on each side of each t "ack rail, power means operatively connected to said'brake members for applying all of said brake members simultaneously at substantially the same i. enses pressure, and cushioning means interposed between saidpower means and brake mem bers' whereby braking pressures are yieldably transmitted to said brake members.

. in sectional track brake apparatus, a

tor applying all of said brake members simultaneously at substantially the same pressure, said motion transmission means including a cushioning medium whereby the brakpower means including transverse members in line with said yieldable means acting upon said yieldable means to press said brake members toward each other against the car wheel 34. A track brake apparatus for railroads comprisin in combination with a track rail, abrake 1memberon each side of said rail, yieldable means associated with each brake member'and acting to move it toward the other member, and power means includ ing transverse members in line with said yieldablemeans acting with substantially equal force against said yieldable means to press said brake members toward each other against a car Wl18l-1f011 the track rail.

35.;Track brake apparatus of the character described comprising, a series of independently movable braking elements disposed closely together end to end along'each side of altrack' rail, power means for simultaneously pressing said brake elements toward each other,'and yieldable means interposed between said power means and said brake elements.

36. Track brake apparatus for railroads comprising, a series of braking elements arranged closely together end to end on each 1 side of a track rail, a springacting against Ill!) ously moving said braking "elements associated with each track rail toward each other with a yieldable' pressure.

38. The combination with a pairiof tra k rails of ait'ransversely movable-brake member on each .side ofeach rail adapted to clasp a wheel for retarding movement of the lat-' springs operable upon said brake memand members'mo'vable transversely of t hers,

the track rails andalignedzwith said springs for yieldably. transmitting power through said springs to said brake members} 39. A track brake apparatus comprising a pluralityot' sections, each of which includes a brake member on each side of each trackv 'rail, springs operable upon said brake memvbeI's,

tions, said braking members, of eachsection flared apart at one end to guide a car Wheel into the space between the members of that vsection, yieldable means acting upon each,

section, and power'means acting upon said yieldablemeans for causing said sections to press against opposite faces of car wheels on the corresponding stantially the same'pressurel 41. A track brake comprising a series of brake members disposed close-together end to end longitudinally alongeach side of each track rail; members extending transversely of the track, a spring interposed between each transverse member and the brake members on correspondingsides of the track rail, means supportingsaid brake members separately for horizontal movement toward and away from the track rails, said means restraining said brake members against upward and downward movement while in engagement with a car wheel, and

brake v apparatus for railroads track rail' with subpower means for simultaneously movingsaid transverse members to press the brake members against the car wheels.

42. In a't'rack bi ke ot'the character described, a series of brake members arranged a; close together end to end along each side of each rail of a railroad track, means includ- 'ing members extending transversely of the trackand springs interposed between said transverse members and sald'brake members for simultaneously movingsaid brake members toward and away from each other to j clasp the wheels of carson' said track, longitudinal members extending lengthwise of the track for supporting said transverse members for horizontal movement but not vertical movement, an operating bar extend- ;ing longitudinallyof the track operatively connected to said transverse members, and power means for moving said operating bar endwise in opposite directions.

43. In a track brake, in combination, a pair of track rails, brake members one on eachside-of each track rail, a spring acting horizontally against each brake member to move it horizontally toward its corresponding'track rail, means movable-transversely of the track and acting on said springs,

bolts between said transversely movable members and said brake members for limiting their relative movement in one direction, transversely extending and movable members for transmitting motion to said means, and'power means for operating said transversely extending and movable mem-' bers simultaneously. 7

44. A track brake comprising, in combination with a'pair of track rails, a series of brake members arranged close together end to end along each side of each track rail, a separate brake shoe fastened to each of said brake'members, and power means including i a plurality of springsacting on each brake member for pressing said brake shoes against both faces of canwheels on said track" In witness whereof tures.

GEORGE HANNAUER. EDGAR M. WILCOX.

we aflix our signa- 

